Bathing in Polluted Water

Vivek Mishra

While unbothered crowds have been eager about taking holy dip at the ongoing MahaKumbh gathering at Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj, a report filed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has raised serious concerns.

On February 16, 2025, the principal bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) issued stern remarks, reprimanding the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB).

“You have made 500 million people bathe in polluted sewage water, water that was not fit for bathing, and people had to drink that water,” the bench said.

The bench, headed by Justice Prakash Srivastava, also criticised UPPCB for failing to submit a comprehensive report.

“It seems you are under some kind of pressure,” the bench noted.

The NGT bench further questioned why no significant action was taken to address pollution in the river before the start of the fair. It was clearly visible that sewage was directly flowing into the rivers.

“Two weeks have passed and no concrete steps have been taken by UPPCB. This is very serious,” referring to a report filed by the CPCB on February 3, 2025, the NGT said.

According to the CPCB’s report, the water quality at several monitoring sites was found to be sub-standard during inspections on January 12 and subsequently on January 23, 2025.

The data included readings from significant sites such as the Shringverpur Ghat, Lord Curzon Bridge, Shastri Bridge, Nagvasuki Temple Pontoon Bridge, Sangam, Deha Ghat, and the confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna near the Old Naini Bridge.

The report stated that, especially on the auspicious bathing days, the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) levels were found to be higher than the normal standard of three milligrams (mg) per litre at multiple locations, including Lord Curzon Bridge on January 19. A high BOD indicates a high level of pollution, as microorganisms require more oxygen to decompose the organic waste in the water.

The report also highlighted a critical issue regarding the excessively high levels of faecal coliform bacteria, which mainly come from human and animal faeces. The presence of these bacteria indicates that the water is contaminated with sewage, leading to the potential spread of waterborne diseases such as typhoid, diarrhoea, and cholera.

Despite these alarming findings, the CPCB’s report indicated that the river water at several locations was not suitable for bathing, as per primary water quality standards. The report noted the heavy presence of faecal coliform, particularly during the large crowds bathing at the Maha Kumbh.

Moreover, during the NGT hearing on February 16, 2025, the CPCB’s lawyer informed the court that all STPs were receiving sewage far beyond their capacities, making effective treatment impossible, leading to untreated sewage flowing directly into the Ganges.

In villages near the Ganges, treated water from STP outlets was being discharged into the river, where it was used for irrigation and religious purposes by the locals. The investigation at the Kodra STP outlet near Neewav village confirmed this.

The CPCB’s lawyer mentioned that all ten STPs were processing sewage far beyond their capacities, and consequently, they were unable to effectively treat the sewage, resulting in untreated sewage being discharged directly into the Ganges.

[Source: Down to Earth]

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Vol 57, No. 37, March 9 - 15, 2025